Q: What’s the absolutely best thing about being your age? 

Being still young enough to dream about the future and having acquired an abundance of wisdom to select which dreams matter most and to fulfill them with choices informed by that wisdom. 

40 Over 40

Q: Do you define beauty differently now than you did twenty years ago? If so, how? 

Beauty is such a vast concept. I think I consolidated what it meant for me back then. 

Focusing on persons, a beautiful person for me was one that is beautiful on the outside and inside. It never stopped with external appearances. Now, I understand better what this means – the radiance that comes from within and shines out in the smile, the loving approach to others, and in whatever that person does. That comes from self-love. 

Q: Why is a session like this important to you? 

I have been on a long journey of self-growth, and now that I am happily reaping the results of hard work, I want to celebrate that, or rather celebrate myself. 

Q: Have your values changed over time? What do you value now? 

I think my values stayed with me, and now I am more certain about them. I value relationships based on the true connection where no one dominates or manipulates. I value inner peace and joy found in the simplest things in life, for instance, in the beauty of nature and how living and non-living components are essential for each other in a complex system making up the beautiful whole. I value life itself, time, and being in the moment to live it to the full, something which is challenging in our society. 

Q: What have been the significant points of change in your life so far? – How did these significant points in your life change you? 

Starting my carrier as a teacher where I could contribute in the social sphere because teaching is not just teaching a subject for exams. 

Having children and trying to raise them up as best as I know for their own well-being and for the benefit of society. Children are the future. 

Ironically, also the pandemic because it was a growth curve in so many things related to work but more so in reflecting on my passions and my purpose in life. This wrapped up a 25 year long self-growth journey with impacts on how I project myself to the world with much less inhibitions, in how I can be a more confident and relaxed mum of three teenagers, and in planning higher-profile projects at work. It’s a sort of “the best is yet to come!”. 

40 Over 40

Q: What was/is your career? Or job path? 

I furthered my studies in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) after having taught Chemistry and Physics for the first 8 9 years of my carrier. I am a teacher at a nature park, organizing and delivering ESD events open for all local schools. 

Q; What is the one piece of advice would you give your 20 years old self? 

Be as kind and loving as you wish, but make sure you have strong boundaries in place so that you, your qualities, talents, resources, and time are not taken advantage of. 

Q; What advice would you give to yourself when your were a young mother (or when your children were infants)? 

Make sure you leave regular “me time,” possibly including at least some minimum hours of work, this being part-time or voluntary work. It contributes to your complete self. 

40 Over 40

Q: If you had a bucket list, what’s your favourite thing you’ve checked off? 

Went abroad on quite a regular basis on my favourite type of holiday – nature especially mountains and rivers. 

Q: What gets you up in the morning? What are your motivations? 

Living my life, including self-care, seeing the children grow up and unfold into their individual selves, work projects that are action-oriented in the education for the sustainable development sector, and my hobbies that I am slowly reintegrating back into my life. 

Q: When in your life, so far, have you felt most confident and why? 

In my late twenties where I felt well established as a teacher who cares for her students especially those who struggled with subject content and getting the satisfaction of seeing them through. 

In my forties, exactly the past two years when I reached a level of self-love which is a game-changer in every aspect of life. 

Q: It would be really interesting to hear about any ambitions you have for the future? 

Kicking off a shelved educational programme outside schools in which empowerment of citizens in sustainable development matters is core. 

More travelling focusing on deeper nature experience rather than on the number of places visited during the tour. 

Re-igniting inspiration in photography and drawing and painting. 

Q: How do you think your generation is perceived by other generations? 

Maybe too serious, unadventurous, outdated. 

But I believe we are a generation who went through a multitude of technological advances and survived the drastic changes with flying colours. That’s cool, adventurous, and staying contemporary! We went from the introduction of the telephone and colour TV in our childhood to this high-tech digital era where you can do anything from a mobile in the palm of your hand, and you have to learn to do it alone with so many services having gone to a do-it-yourself online! 

Q: Do you think that people who are 40+/ 50+/60+/70+ are represented in advertising? How do you feel about it? 

Not much. Life does not stop at youth. All ages should feature throughout. 

More information and how to participate our amazing 40 over 40, check this link: https://amandahsu.com/40over40/